5 of our favorite shells you can find in Hawaii- Searching for shells, respecting Mother Nature, and appreciating her treasures!
Have you seen people surfing above the water in Maui? You were not tripping! Surfers are flying over the water now! Learn how to Hydrofoil!
6 ways to ‘Go Green’ in the kitchen-Reducing your environmental footprint is very important! Here are some tips and tricks.
It not always easy to find the perfect workout / swimming spots. Save time and read "best Workout Location on the West Side of Maui"
Healthy homemade granola recipe-the best homemade granola. You can customize this recipe to suit your favorite ingredients
How to make the perfect smoothie bowl-Refreshing & delicious recipe so that you can make your own smoothie bowl at home!
A day in the life of Belle Surf- Wellness & healthy living. What we incorporate into our everyday life to be healthy and well.
Hawaii is known as the ‘Rainbow’ state! If you visit here, you are guaranteed to see some spectacular rainbows and views. A normal day in Hawaii consists of a rainbow, especially during the rainy season! And the best part is… rainbows never get old! They always seem to mesmerize us no matter how many we have seen. So, why does Hawaii have so many rainbows?
How do rainbows form?
The recipe for a rainbow is quite simple. Basically, you need some sunshine and some rain. Each droplet in a rain shower acts as a mini prism. The droplet bends and bounces light. The light waves refract as it enters the droplet, reflect off the back of the droplet, and then refract once more as it leaves the droplet. Since each color wavelength has different energies, they refract at slightly different angles, allowing the colors to separate out into the spectrum we see in a rainbow. The more uniform the raindrops are in size, the more distinct are the colors of the rainbow.
Why does Hawaii have so many rainbows?
The combination of constant cloud coverage, trade winds, mountainous terrain, and clean air all contribute to rainbow sightings in the islands of Hawaii. The mountain tops force the trade winds coming from the ocean to rise and cool. This creates rain showers, and holes in the clouds where the sun can enter. Hawaii which is known for its very clean marine air, and clean atmosphere because we are far from pollution. The clean air makes for strong sunshine, and that strong sun helps produce a vibrant rainbow.
Hawaiian culture and rainbows
In Hawaii, rainbows are on the license plates of cars and Hawaii state drivers licenses and identifications. The ‘Rainbow Warriors’ are literally the mascot of the University of Hawaii!
In the Hawaiian language and culture, rainbows (anuenue) symbolize a boundary. The veil between the realms of gods, and the realms of humans. Rainbows also signify the presence of supernatural, royalty and sacred entity.
What season is best in Hawaii for rainbows?
The winter time, or rainy season (November-April) is the best time to sight rainbows. You will see them almost everyday! The best time to spot them is early morning or evening when the sun is low and common rain showers occur.
At this point, sometimes when we look out the window we can even recognize the “rainbow weather”. This is where we feel and see the magic happening. It’s a kind of golden glow where the rain is drizzling lightly, or a dark grey cloud is in the distance and the sun is also shining very golden. Every time this happens, I go outside and immediately spot a breathtaking array of colors in the sky. It almost reminds me of the Northern Lights, Hawaiian style!
No matter what time of the year you choose to visit, your odds of seeing a rainbow are extremely high! Whether or not you actually do see a rainbow, there is still plenty of beauty surrounding the Hawaiian Islands to see and explore. From the mountains to the oceans, there are endless cracks and crevices to adventure and it never gets old! Who knows, you might even end up moving here too 🙂
Frequently asked questions about Hawaii- Surprisingly, these questions are asked quite frequently. Read more to learn about the Aloha State!
Your plane just landed on Maui, and the fresh aroma of tropical air and flowers greets you. After getting settled in, you will be itching to get out and explore! Some people come to Maui on family trips, some on honeymoons or as a couple, and others visit with their friends or even solo! Whatever the occasion, most likely there will be some or lots of drinking going on! The main question is, what are the 6 best cocktail bars in Maui, and where do I find them?!
Now, on Maui you have a little bit of everything. You can choose anything from a local brewery all the way to a high end cocktail bar. Today we will be focusing a little bit more on cocktails. And if you are not into drinking, don’t worry, we have got you covered here at Belle Surf! Come join us for some coffee and food.
Monkeypod Kitchen
A newer and more modern bar / restaurant that is smack dab in the middle of Kaanapali! It’s more of a cute and casual place, so there is no need to wear a suit here! Not only can you drink, but you can also enjoy dinner and a sunset as it’s located right next to the beach. Whaler’s Village is next door as well, and this is where you will find many different stores or kiosks for shopping. Don’t forget to bring home a souvenir!
Merrimans
Looking for something a bit more dressed up? This high end oceanfront restaurant and bar in Kapalua is the perfect location for a nice night out. With dining outdoors and indoors, you can enjoy the sunset as you sip on your Mai Tai. Happy hour is between 3 and 5pm. There is limited seating, and reservations are required.
Tiki Lounge
Located on the South Shore (Kihei), the Tiki Lounge is the ultimate Hawaiian Tiki Bar! With bamboo walls, surfboards mounted on the ceiling, and Hawaiian art and decor. This is a tiny and loud bar that is perfect for people looking for a party! If you head to the lanai out back, there will be live music and more seating. The vibes are great, drinks are cheap and everyone will be having a great time! A local DJ spins tunes after 10pm.
The Pint and Court
This little gem in the Shops at Wailea is an industrial-chic gastropub with TV’s and a high energy vibe on late nights and weekends. There’s a rotating list of about 20 brews-mostly local, more than 100 whiskeys, and 30 cocktails! The wine list is also quite impressive- one that will satisfy every palate and price point.
Down the Hatch
Located on Front Street right in Lahaina town, after your shopping or boat cruise is done, you can enjoy a drink and some food here! This is one of the hottest spots to eat and drink on the island. Happy hour is from 3-7pm and you will watch the bartenders slinging brews, Mai Tais, and tasty looking fried foods to a very happy and lively crowd. Maybe you’ll even be lucky enough to hear some live music!
Vana Paia
This airy indoor-outdoor eatery in Paia, offers local Japanese inspired dishes with Hawaiian flavors, cocktails and wine. The cocktails are tropical island style drinks with their own local ingredients such as lilikoi, local organic ocean vodka, local Kula rum, guavas, and more! Come try this place out! Before or after your date, you can cruise around Paia, do some shopping or see the beach at Hookipa!
Now, with the 6 best cocktail bars on Maui, you are definitely likely to find something for everyone! Even if you end up just relaxing by the pool and enjoying a cocktail there, now you know the other fun options in Maui to bring some diversity into your stay!